[Nels Ferre]

Hi All,

I have looked around the web and am trying to determine if a 2010 Mini running Snow Leopard will output 24/192 via optical cable. I'd like to avoid a USB to SPDIF converter if I can.

Thanks,
Nels

[Mike Nomad]

You will have to use USB to get 24/192 out.

UPDATE:

Here's an interesting thread (including a reply from ted_b) discussing the problem:

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Trouble-192khz-output-new-Mac-Mini-Benchmark-DAC1-HDR

[Nels Ferre]

Damn. 

Those $30.00 Rolling Stones downloads are looking even more expensive.

Nels

[baldrick]

True that the optical digital output cannot put out more than 24 bit / 96kHz under Snow Leopard, but perhaps the new Lion operating system will fix that since the underlying hardware is capable.
Still with Audio Midi downsampling 192 kHz files to 96 kHz it sounds damn fine to me and orders of magnitude better than red book 16 bit 44.1 kHz.

You may have better results using converting software like Max.  I've found that in certain instances things sound a little more coherent when the (previously downconverted) music file is being played through Audio Midi in its native resolution.  Your results may vary, and you will find the best sounding solution if you trust your ears.


I would wait to see if the new OS X version allows native 24-192 through the optical port before buying an expensive USB-SPDIF converter.

[Nels Ferre]

Hey Baldrick,

Thanks for the heads up on Lion. I doubt if I am going to upgrade 3 computers from Snow Leopard, as it has proven to be 100% stable. Even if I change my mind, my own M2Tech HiFace ($150) is in my future.

Mike Galusha (another ETM reviewer who posts here) has a spare HiFace, which he graciously let me borrow. Even playing 16/44 or 24/96, the improvement on my 2010 Mini over the stock Toslink connection is not subtle.

The big difference is imaging and soundstage depth, but very close behind is the difference in ease that the notes flow. It just sounds more natural, more like a good analog setup. My wife Leslie immediately heard the difference and had me up playing music for her until 3:30 this morning. The improvement is that extreme.

This just might be the best $150 one can spend on their computer front end.

Off to listen to the 24/96 download from HD Tracks of "Tommy" by The Who. So far, this is far better than the MFSL gold CD.

[simon wagstaff]

I am finding it hard to wrap my head around a USB converter sounding better than the toslink output from a mac mini. I have read a little bit about HiFace and will need to learn a bit more.

it just doesn't seem to make any sense, though. What is the principle behind the improved sound?

thanks!

[Nels Ferre]

I totally agree with your logic and that is part of the reason I switched to Mac a couple of years ago. Less "stuff" in the signal path usually equals superior sound, in my experience.

The idea here is that the signal has much less jitter, at least in the case of the HiFace, due to its dual oscillators. The other factor is that the interface allows the DAC to actually control the signal flow, so timing is improved. At least what the manufacturer states. That's about the extent of what I know about it technically. Sonically, its a winner, and the price is right.

I have my own on the way, so Mike will get his back in a few days. I won't be going back to the optical output.

[NekoAudio]

The TOSLink output on a Mac is most likely going to have high jitter (as Nels mentioned) and possibly some spurious S/PDIF signal noise. With some DACs, this will be an issue and so there is an opportunity for a box placed in-between to provide a signal where the DAC would benefit. The degree of improvement would depend a lot upon how sensitive the DAC is to the S/PDIF signal quality.